It's not just chlorine that makes our eyes red while swimming

Wednesday

May 22, 2019 at 11:16 AM

I'm here to break some bad news. You know how people think it's chlorine that makes our eyes red in the pool? That's only half true.

It's chlorine mixed with pee.

When chlorine mixes with pee, poop, sweat, dirt, skin cells and personal care products, like deodorant and makeup, it decreases the chlorine's effectiveness and creates chemical irritants called chloramines, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

RELATED: Half of Americans admit to hopping in the pool instead of showering

So when you think you're smelling chlorine from the pool, it's actually chloramines — a "healthy pool" won't have any smell at all.

These irritants are what make our eyes red, as well as causing skin irritation and respiratory symptoms like nasal irritation, coughing and wheezing.

To prevent chloramines from forming in your pool (or any pool), the CDC recommends using the toilet and taking a shower before swimming, as well as never peeing in the water.

And maybe stay away if you come across a particularly pungent chlorinated pool.

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